LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
It’s been more than six months since I graduated college and I can say that there were some huge changes in my life. It amazes me how this time last year I’m in a predicament of graduating but now, I’m in a coffee shop trying to inform people of the things I realized in the past seven months.
For those people who don’t know, I graduated last year of June from the University of the Philippines with a BA Communication Arts degree. A month after graduation, I moved out of my hometown to pursue a career and to live in Manila.
Here are the things I learned in the past seven months of being an ‘adult’:
Joining an organization or having any extracurricular activities in college will help you in the future.
This tip may not be for everyone but I have observed that the skills I developed in my organization are the most helpful skills I have now. You can learn these skills anywhere but you will be shocked with how much similarities your org activities have with your future work. If you’re an active member in a certain organization, adapting to your new work and environment will be a lot easier for you.
It’s okay to feel lost after you graduate.
Post-graduation depression is real! Everyone goes through it so don’t worry too much. You’re not alone. The best you can do during this time is to tackle one challenge at a time. The whole is the sum of its parts so focus on the smaller details first and you’ll be able to figure out the bigger picture along the way. J
Know your strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage.
Knowing your own strengths and weakness will help you sell yourself in the market. These are also what make you unique and interesting for the people you’ll meet in your life. The more you know yourself, the more people can see what you are made of. Gone are the #Filter days. Authenticity is rare and that’s what people want now.
You know you’re doing a great job when your stress levels are the same with when you were in college.
If you think you would be less stressed when you graduate, then you’re 100% wrong! Hahaha! Sorry to break it to you but the stress levels are just the same when you’re pursuing a career and when you’re in school. The only difference is that you are more in control now. You plan your own vacation because there aren’t any term breaks, and there are no deadlines to meet or grades to receive so you wouldn’t know if you did a great job or not. If you don’t feel any stress while pursuing a career, you’re probably in your comfort zone and that’s not so good. Hard work fruits success, but remember that hard work and stress are a package deal.
Exhaust all information you have when it comes to decision making.
All adults shall the considered superheroes too because they have greater responsibilities as well. Being ‘adult’ means you’ll have to make grown-up decisions. (And that’s stressful AF) It’s important to weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision. You could have learned this while in college but the decisions you’ll have now are of greater deal… like your job, your relationships and even your investments. (holy cow, ‘investments’ is such a grown-up term!)
It’s okay not to get your first job right.
I repeat, it’s okay not to get your first job right. Landing your dream job may seem wonderful but don’t expect it to be a piece of piss. Things aren’t always rainbows and butterflies that’s why we have to work for the things we love. There will be times when you’ll want to quit your job and that’s okay. The decision is up to you but don’t stress yourself out too much. Your first job is not your job for the rest of eternity. That’s okay! J
Don’t stress yourself out when it comes to saving on your first year of working.
Your college allowance is easier to budget than your salary because now, you’ll have to consider your own bills, food, utilities, etc. Now that you’re in control of your OWN money, you would want to spend it the way you want. Do not worry if you won’t be able to save right away. You are meant to enjoy your hard earned money because if you won’t you’ll end up burned out. You can always start saving after a year of employment.
Investment is key.
When you start becoming a so-called ‘adult’, you’d have to consider investing. Yup. I didn’t make that stuff up. Investment is a real thing and you have to consider this in every purchase. Now, you’ll have to consider where your money is going and that you have to make sure that you’ll benefit from it in the long run. Is purchasing a new phone worth it? Are you saving for something you need in the future or something you just want? Are you even insured? Knowing your needs and wants in accordance to your lifestyle will play a huge role in money spending.
Side jobs are lifesavers.
I can’t express how important yet neglected this concept is. There are countless times when my side jobs saved me from becoming broke. I am really bad with money. That’s one of my weaknesses but some of my strengths include time management and hard work. I used these to my advantage to compensate for my weakness (See No. 3). I know it might seem difficult to do side jobs amidst your actual job, but you’ll be surprised with the variety of side jobs available online. You will always find one that will suit both your schedule and your skills.
Find something you’re passionate about.
Being an adult is really stressful that is why it is important to develop a hobby that you’re passionate about. This will serve as a breather when life really hits you hard, when you’re having a bad day or even if you’re just bored. For me, blogging is one of those. I love having bubble baths and staying in the bath tub for an extra 30 minutes while reading a book or listening to music but to some, this doesn’t seem productive at all. So my advice is to have your productive version of ‘me’ time.
I hope this post helped you in some sort of way. I tried to make this as general as possible so people can relate to it.
‘til next time,
the great escapist
PS. Valid IDs are important AF
Let’s be FRIENDS!
Instagram & Twitter: @murielaisa